Broken air conditioners reduce D.C. ambulance fleet

WASHINGTON — The searing heat is knocking out ambulances in an already troubled fire department.

D.C. Fire and Emergency Services Department deputy chief in charge of fleet management says that air conditioning systems in many of the District’s ambulances have had some “pretty significant failures” after being stressed by the heat this week.

John Donnelly says many of the repair jobs have required six to eight hours of repair work to tear the system apart and replace high pressure lines, air compressors or condensers.